COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, TOURISM AND CULTURE
I.
Composition of the Committee
11. The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture was constituted on 5th August, 2005 and continued upto the 4th August, 2006. The Committee was again reconstituted on 5th August, 2006. The total number of the Members of the Committee was 31 out of which 10 Members were from Rajya Sabha and 21 Members from Lok Sabha.
11.2 The Committee consisted of following Members: —
COMMITTEE
ON TRANSPORT, TOURISM AND CULTURE
(As on 5.8.2005)
1. Shri Nilotpal Basu — Chairman
2. Shri
Kamal Akhtar
3.
Prof. Ram Deo Bhandary
4. Shri S.S. Chandran
5.
Shrimati Hema Malini
6.
Shri Janardhana Poojary
7.
Shri Satish Kumar Sharma
8.
Shri Shatrughan Sinha
9.
Shri Rama Muni Reddy Sirigireddy
10.
Shrimati Ambika Soni
11.
Shri Ramdas Athawale
12.
Shri Raj Babbar
13.
Shri Anil Basu
14.
Shri Sartaj Singh Chhatwal
15.
Shri N.S.V. Chitthan
16.
Shri Adhir Chowdhury
17.
Dr. K. Dhanaraju
18.
Shri Ravindra Naik Dharavath
19.
Shri Dip Gogoi
20.
Shri Vijay Kumar Khandelwal
21.
Shri W. Wangyuh Konyak
22.
Dr. Ramkrishna Kusmaria
23.
Shri Samik Lahiri
24.
Shri Sudam Marandi
25.
Shri Alok Kumar Mehta
26.
Shri Gingee N. Ramachandran
27.
Shri Manabendra Shah
28.
Shri Dushyant Singh
29.
Shri Madan Lal Sharma
30.
Shri Chengara Surendran
31.
Shri Umakant Yadav
COMMITTEE
ON TRANSPORT, TOURISM AND CULTURE
(As on 5.8.2006)
*1. Shri Sitaram Yechury -
Chairman
2. Shri
Kamal Akhtar
3. Prof. Ram Deo Bhandary
4. Shri
S.S. Chandran
5. Shrimati
Hema Malini
6. Shri
Janardhana Poojary
7.
Shri Satish Kumar Sharma
8. Shri
Shatrughan Sinha
°9. Shri
M.V. Mysura Reddy
10.
´Shri Janardan Dwivedi
LOK SABHA
11. Shri Ramdas Athawale
12. Shri Raj Babbar
13. Shri Sartaj Singh Chhatwal
14.
Shri N.S.V.
Chitthan
15.
Shri Adhir
Chowdhury
16.
Dr. K. Dhanaraju
17.
Shri Ravindra
Naik Dharavath
18.
Shri Dip Gogoi
19.
Shri Vijay Kumar
Khandelwal
20.
Shri W. Wangyuh
Konyak
21.
Dr. Ramkrishna
Kusmaria
22.
Shri Samik
Lahiri
23.
Shri Sudam
Marandi
24.
Shri Alok Kumar
Mehta
25.
Shri Gingee N.
Ramachandran
26.
*Shri Prahlad
Joshi
27.
Shri Dushyant
Singh
28.
Shri Madan Lal
Sharma
29.
Shri Chengara
Surendran
30.
Shri Umakant
Yadav
31.
Shri Suraj Singh
II. Subjects selected for examination
11.3 The
Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and
Culture selected the following two new subjects for examination:—
|
Sl. No. |
Ministry/Deptt. |
Subjects |
|
1. |
Ministry of Civil Aviation |
“Air safety and related issues” |
Besides
this, the following Bills were considered by the Committee which were referred
to the Committee by Hon'ble Chairman, Rajya Sabha/Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha
for examination and report:
|
Sl. No. |
Date of reference |
Name of the Bill |
|
1. |
27.5.2005 |
The Admiralty Bill, 2005 |
|
2. |
13.12.2005 |
The
Inland Vessels (Amendment) Bill, 2005 |
|
3. |
14.12.2005 |
The
Carriage By Road Bill, 2005 |
(a) Sittings
of the Committee
11.4 During the year the
Committee held 17 sittings for 31 hours and 05 minutes. A Statement showing the dates of sittings of
the Committee held during the period under Review, the duration of the sittings
and the subjects discussed are given in Annexure-XI.
(b) Study visits
11.5 The
Committee undertook one study visit for a total number of seven (7) days.
Officers/staff of the Secretariat accompanied them. The section also prepared study notes after
the Committee visit. The details of the
visit are given below: -
|
Destination |
Date |
Organisation
Examined |
Subject
|
|
Goa, |
5.11.2006 to 11.11.2006 |
|
Cargo Handling at |
|
|
|
Tour/Travel/Hoteliers Associations, Department of
Tourism, Government of |
Development of Tourism in |
|
|
|
Cochin
Port Trust, Shipping Corporation of |
Functioning of the Cochin Port Trust,
Shipping Corporation of |
|
|
|
Air
|
International Air Connectivity to and from |
|
|
|
Shipping
Corporation of |
Passenger-cum-Cargo services from Mainland
to |
IV. Reports
presented
11.6 During
the year under review, Seventeen (17) Reports of the Committee were presented
to both the Houses of Parliament as detailed below:-
|
Report No. |
Title
of the Report |
Date of Adoption |
Date
of Presentation |
|
92nd |
Action Taken by the Government on the
Recommendations/Observations of the Committee contained in its Eighty-Fourth
Report on Demands for Grants (2005-2006) of Department of Road Transport and
Highways |
22.2.2006 |
27.2.2006 |
|
93rd |
Action Taken by the Government on the
Recommendations/Observations of the Committee contained in its Eighty-Fifth
Report on Demands for Grants (2005-2006) of Ministry of Culture |
22.2.2006 |
27.2.2006 |
|
94th |
Action Taken by the Government on the Recommendations/Observations
of the Committee contained in its Eighty-Sixth Report on Demands for Grants
(2005-2006) of Department of Shipping |
22.2.2006 |
27.2.2006 |
|
95th |
Action Taken by the Government on the
Recommendations/Observations of the Committee contained in its Eighty-Seventh
Report on Demands for Grants (2005-2006) of Ministry of Tourism |
22.2.2006 |
27.2.2006 |
|
96th |
Action Taken by the Government on the
Recommendations/Observations of the Committee contained in its Eighty-Eighth Report
on Demands for Grants (2005-2006) of Ministry of Civil Aviation |
22.2.2006 |
27.2.2006 |
|
97th |
Action Taken by the Government on the
Recommendations/Observations of the Committee contained in its Ninetieth
Report on the ‘Development of Airport Sector with special emphasis on new
modern airports’ |
22.2.2006 |
27.2.2006 |
|
98th |
Action Taken by the Government on the
Recommendations/Observations of the Committee contained in its Eighty-third Report
on ‘Functioning of the Commission of Railway Safety’ |
17.3.2006 |
21.3.2006 |
|
99th |
The Admiralty Bill, 2005 (With evidence) |
17.3.2006 |
21.3.2006 |
|
100th |
The Inland Vessels (Amendment) Bill, 2005 (With evidence) |
17.3.2006 |
21.3.2006 |
|
101st |
The Carriage By Road Bill, 2005 (With evidence) |
17.3.2006 |
21.3.2006 |
|
102nd |
Demands for Grants (2006-2007) of Department of
Road, Transport and Highways |
19.5.2006 |
22.5.2006 |
|
103rd |
Demands for Grants (2006-2007) of Department of Culture |
19.5.2006 |
22.5.2006 |
|
104th |
Demands for Grants (2006-2007) of Department of
Tourism |
19.5.2006 |
22.5.2006 |
|
105th |
Demands for Grants (2006-2007) of Department of
Shipping |
19.5.2006 |
22.5.2006 |
|
106th |
Demands for Grants (2006-2007) of Ministry of Civil
Aviation |
19.5.2006 |
22.5.2006 |
|
107th |
Action Taken by the Government on the
Recommendations/Observations of the Committee contained in its Ninety-first
Report on ‘Functioning of the Archaeological Survey of India’ |
19.5.2006 |
22.5.2006 |
|
108th |
Functioning and performance of India Tourism
Development Corporation Limited |
12.12.2006 |
15.12.2006 |
V. Summary of
Recommendations
(a) 92nd Report (ATR on observations/recommendations
of the Committee contained in its 84th Report on Demands for Grants
(2005-06) of the Department of Road Transport and Highways)
National Highways not covered under
NHDP:
11.7 The Committee noted the reply of the
Department and expected that Special Accelerated Road Development Programme
(SARDP) would be implemented at the earliest.
The Committee was also of the view that the Department should expedite
all the background work for the ensuing projects based on the experience gained
by it while implementing the Golden Quadrilateral Project.
Development of National
Highways in North- Eastern region
11.8 The Committee desired that the substantially higher
allocation for the development of Central Sector Roads in 2005-06 as compared
to 2004-05 would actually translate to better condition of roads in the
North-Eastern Region. Further, the
Committee recommended that the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme
(SARDP) should be implemented at the earliest in the North-Eastern Region.
Participation of private sector in
development and maintenance of National Highways
11.9 The Department had not specified the efforts
contemplated by it to maximize private investment in the North-Eastern
Region. The Committee, therefore, reiterated
its apprehension on the success of private sector participation in the Road
Sector in the North-Eastern Region.
Need
for an Integrated Transport Policy
11.10 The Committee recommended that it should be
appraised about the follow-up action on the Draft National Road Transport
Policy and to incorporate the same in the Integrated Transport Policy of the
Government.
Damage in
Tsumani hit areas
11.11 The
Committee strongly recommended that the Department should closely monitor the
utilization of funds allocated to the States for the restoration/repair of the
National Highways in the Tsunami hit areas and also ensure early completion of
the work.
Differential
pricing system for private vehicles
11.12 The Committee was of the opinion that its recommendation
should be incorporated in the National Road Transport Policy so as to have a
binding effect on the States/UTs.
Use of Research and Development and
Information Technology
11.13 The Committee took note of the fact that the Department of
Road Transport and Highways was not having any member in the Governing Council
of the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, which was an
independent entity and that the Department of Heavy Industry was the nodal
agency of Central Government for dealing with that institution. The Committee
found it surprising that although the Department of Road Transport and Highways
was responsible for the working of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central
Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, it had no administrative control over the
agency authorized to test the vehicles and give type approval certificate as to
the compliance of the provisions of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Rules
thereunder. The Committee, therefore, reiterated
its recommendation that either the Department of Road Transport and Highways
should have control on the Automotive Research Association of India, Pune or
the Association should be divested of the power of fixing emission norms as
apex certification agency.
11.14 The Committee noted from the reply that the allocations for
research and development had been substantially scaled down from Rs.7.9 crore
during 2004-05 to Rs.4.85 crore in the current Financial Year 2005-06. Apparently, the abysmally poor utilization of
the allocated funds in the previous year was the reason for steep scaling down
of the outlay. Further, the present
programmes for R & D are scattered among various organisations and
therefore the Committee reiterated its earlier recommendations made in this
context that the Department of Road Transport and Highways should develop an
institutional mechanism to undertake research and development activities.
(b) 93rd Report (ATR on observations/recommendations
of the Committee contained in its 85th Report on Demands for Grants (2005-2006) of the
Department of Culture)
The approach in the Tenth Plan and analysis of the Annual Plan 2005-2006
11.15 The Committee noted the reply of the Ministry and observed that the Ministry should review the whole planning and budgetary process while keeping in mind the long-term policy perspective so that any reduction at R.E. stage can be avoided. The Committee hoped that fixing quarterly monitoring targets will ensure the timely and better utilization of funds.
11.16 The Committee noted the reply of the Ministry and hoped that periodic review of the identified programmes are carried out at the apex level and status/progress report prepared by the National Committee on completion of Multi-Purpose Cultural Complex projects are also furnished to this Committee.
Non-writing/publication of excavation
reports
11.17 The Committee noted the reply of the Ministry and observed that since long the publication of excavation reports had been continuing and the Committee had expressed its apprehensions on its timely completion. However, since the Ministry had now come-up with a time-frame, the Committee directed that writing and publication of all pending reports within the specified time-frame should take place. The Committee directed the Ministry to appraise the latest position in this regard.
Merger of
National
11.18 The Committee
did not accept the reply of the Ministry and noted that it was only the
repetition of their earlier stand. In
this context Committee reiterated its recommendation that "on the one hand the Ministry had stated
that they are not recruiting more staff.
On the other hand the Committee had been informed that for the
Problem of encroachment and security of
monuments/sites under the protection of ASI
11.19 The Committee noted the reply of the Ministry. The Committee expressed its deep anguish that despite the matter taken up at the highest level, no significant progress had been made in the matter of bearings of expenditure on CISF engaged in the protection of monuments. The Committee reiterated its recommendation that the matter may be taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs besides the Chief Secretaries of all the State Government on priority basis.
(
National Archives of
11.20 The Committee was not convinced with the manner in which the Government had taken the recommendation of the Committee. This shows lacking of seriousness on the Ministry's part. The Ministry could have supplemented information contained in the reply, which was sent only on 26th August, 2005. The Committee would like to have the latest development in the matter and desired that the appointment of a full-time Director General of Archives would improve upon the functioning of this apex institution in the country.
11.21 The Committee noted the reply of the Ministry and insisted that in order to achieve the desired objective a periodic monitoring of the expenditure should be initiated.
Library Sector
11.22 The Committee took a serious note of the reply that due to technical, managerial and procedural problems, functioning of Delhi Public Library had been hampered. The Committee hoped that the Ministry would evolve a proper procedure regarding the purchase of books.
Science Cities
11.23 The Committee noted the reply of the Ministry. However, the Committee should also be apprised about the details of the modified guidelines and the recommendations of the Review Committee, which had been constituted to make necessary changes for the Science Cities scheme.
(c) 94th Report (ATR on observations/recommendations
of the Committee contained in its 86th Report on Demands for Grants (2005-2006) of the
Department of Shipping)
Analysis of Annual Plan 2005-06
11.24 The Committee desired that the Department
of Shipping should adhere to its recommendations and efficiently maintain its
fiscal management in future.
Port Sector
11.25 The Committee noted the reply and
expected that the mechanism evolved by the Department of Shipping remains
fool-proof and problems of fiscal management would not be encountered in
future.
11.26 The Committee was constrained to note
that till date Government have not decided to settle the retirement dues of the
employees of CDLB. Regarding introduction
of Voluntary Retirements Scheme, the Committee was of the view that the
Department of Shipping should strongly pursue the matter with the Cabinet and
in the meanwhile, the advice of the Ministry of Law and Justice should be
sought to resolve the issue.
Misappropriation of Seamen’s Provident
Fund
11.27 The Committee was perturbed to note that
previously also the Department of Shipping had submitted that the Cabinet Note
was under finalization and no progress seems to be made in this context thereafter. The Committee had not been apprised of the
status of its recommendation about approaching the Ministry of Finance for
grants-in-aid to recoup the shortage in the Seamen's Provident Fund.
Misappropriation of Seamen’s Provident
Fund
11.28 The Committee noted the measures being taken by the Government to avert future swindling of funds. However, it suggested that the amount recovered from the persons involved should be directly deposited in the Seamen's Provident Fund.
Indian Institute of Maritime Studies
(IIMS)
11.29 The
Committee noted the reply and expected that the assurance given to the
Committee will be strictly observed after establishment of
Central Inland
Water Transport Corporation
11.30 The Committee emphasized that the future
of Inland Water Transport Operations including that of Central Water Transport
Corporation Ltd. was very bright in this country. This area remains largely unexplored today. Therefore, the Committee further recommended
the Department of Shipping to take steps to augment the infrastructure and to
improve the performance of the CIWTC and impress upon Board for Reconstruction
of Public Sector Enterprises to that effect.
Inland water transport
11.31 The
Committee expressed its strong dissatisfaction over the fact that the
Department in response to its recommendation had given only the time frame for
various schemes/projects whereas the actual physical achievements and
difficulties have not been given. The
Committee recommended that the Department should come back to the Committee
with a detailed reply with regard to integrated transport policy and modal mix
of transport in the country.
(d) 95th Report (ATR on observations/recommendations
of the Committee contained in its 87th Report on Demands for Grants (2005-2006) of the
Department of Tourism)
Approach
in the Tenth Plan and analysis of the Annual Plan 2005-2006
11.32 The
Committee was aware of the fact that the Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission
are the final authorities for the allocation of funds in the Annual Plans of
the Ministry. However, the Committee
recommended that the attention of the Planning Commission and the Ministry of
Finance may be invited to the observations made by Committee for allocation of
Budgetary support as per actual requirement and projected plans. Their response may be submitted to the
Committee for its consideration.
11.33 The Committee reiterated its observations
to the Ministry of Tourism to adopt a proactive approach to remove the
bottlenecks, which are the root-causes for delay. The fact that the Ministry, at the threshold
of Eleventh Plan was still carrying the backlog of eighth and ninth Plan’s
incomplete projects speaks volumes about its inadequacies.
Rural Tourism
11.34 The Committee noted with appreciation the
initiatives taken by the Government in the matter. The Committee should also be apprised of the
achievements of the Government in a detailed manner.
Human Resource Development
11.35 The Ministry of Tourism had not replied on the Committee's recommendation that a statutory status be granted to National Council for Tourism and Hospitality Education (NCHM & CT). The Committee again reiterated that the status of ‘Deemed University’ may be accorded to NCHM & CT at the earliest so that it can effectively monitor and coordinate educational institutions of tourism sector which are opening up to meet the growing demand of trained manpower in the field.
Uniformity and rationalisation of taxes
on transport and hospitality sector
11.36 The
Committee appreciated the efforts being made by the Government to rationalize
the tax structure concerning the different departments of tourism sector. However, it suggested them to strive to evolve consensus on the
subject.
Domestic tourism and publicity
11.37 The Committee noted the extraneous
factors hindering the growth of tourism in the country as detailed by the
Ministry. The Committee felt that the
Incredible India campaign aimed at promoting
Overseas promotion and marketing
11.38 The Committee noted the reply of the
Ministry. However, the Committee
failed to understand the compulsions of
the Ministry for which Rs. 13 crore was re-appropriated to the Domestic
Promotion and Publicity Head for undertaking Domestic Promotion campaigns
whereas, it was originally allocated for Overseas Promotion and Publicity
during the year 2004-05.
11.39 The Committee agreed with the Ministry that setting up of the National Tourism Promotion Board, which would amalgamate the various aspects/departments, was a Herculean task. But the establishment of an autonomous institution like this was all the more important for this precise reason. As regards the synergising/coordination of the various departments and administrative nitty-gritty was concerned, studies should be made on the basis of model countries that have already formed Tourism Promotion Board. Further, the Committee recommended that participation of the private sector should be elicited by taking up the matter at the forums like Chamber of Commerce & Industry, FICCI, Tourist Associations, etc.